Water Pump Replacement Service & Cost

What is the Water Pump all about?

The water pump, a container made of aluminum or iron, is part of the cooling system. It contains an impeller (looks like a fan) that circulates water and coolant throughout the cooling system, keeping the engine from overheating. It is located in the engine compartment. For the water pump to work, it needs to turn. This is accomplished either by the drive belt or timing belt/chain. If the water pump is not working, the coolant will not circulate through the cooling system causing the engine to overheat and get severe damages.

Keep in mind:

When the water pump is replaced, the drive belts and timing belt/chain may need to be replaced as well.

The entire cooling system should be inspected when the water pump is replaced.

Replacing the thermostat at the same time as the water pump can help prevent future problems.

How it's done:

Pressure test the cooling system for leaks.

Remove and replace the water pump if bad.

Fill with new coolant.

Install new radiator cap.

Install new thermostat.

Test drive car.

Our recommendation:

If you see coolant (green, red, or yellow fluid) underneath your car, have the cooling system inspected for leaks. Always keep up with the service intervals as specified by the manufacturer and get the coolant replaced. It is a good practice to get the coolant replaced every 50,000 miles. This will help ensure a long life for the water pump and the entire cooling system.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Water Pump?

Coolant (green, red or yellow fluid) is leaking.

Car is overheating.

Car does not start.

How important is this service?

A car’s engine generates so much heat that it can damage itself if it is not cooled down. To prevent this, your vehicle has a cooling system. The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant through the engine. This coolant absorbs heat from the engine, and is then cooled down by a fan. When the water pump malfunctions, the cooling system has no way of sending coolant into the engine, and the engine will overheat, which can cause severe damage.

TJ was great - communicated via text and email prior to arrival, and was very friendly in person. He seemed to genuinely care about providing an accurate check of my car, and answered any questions that I had!

Robert showed up for the 4 p.m. appointment today to look at my 2004 Volvo XC90. He was courteous, and tried his best to evaluate the problem. A foreign vehicle is very hard to disagnose, and I believe that after my experience with both Robert and another car mechanic at a different shop (who looked at the Volvo as well and did not charge us for diagnoses, since he could not figure out the problem) that it takes a Volvo specialist to evalute and to accurately diagnize the problem with this vehicle.
Robert made a couple of guesses, however, he did not know exactly what the problem was. He told me that the car needed to be placed on a jack high in the air to completely diagnose the problem. He said I needed to take the car to a Kaufman tire to get a complete diagnoses while the car was on a jack high up in the air. He told me it would take 2 people to diagnose the problem.
Robert tried his best, however your company did not have the resouses & equipment to accurately diagnose the problem (jack lift) according to Robert. Also Robert said it would take two people to diagnose the problem as well.
I am going to take the Volvo to someone who works with Volvo's to accuratley diagnose the problem.
I am confident that you will refund the $70 charge that you charged my credit card since Robert told me he was not able to accuretly diagnose the problem.
Thank you.
Rich Whitmer
404-379-1625